Simon makes five Reds, which is perhaps excessive for a team that is just two games over .500. Still, the guy is ninth in the NL in ERA after opening the season in the rotation only due to injuries. Like Alvarez – and unlike some of the bigger names – he also was terrific in June.

Wainwright over Cueto to start was extremely close. Hudson would be the first pitcher I added in case of injury.

Rosenthal also mentions that "Mesoraco's candidacy also was compromised by injuries; his OPS of 1.026 would be second in the league to Tulowitzki if he qualified."

On ESPN.com, three of its five contributors (Jim Bowden, Jerry Crasnick and Jayson Stark) picked Cueto to start. The other two (Buster Olney and David Schoenfield) picked the Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw.